Life, love and happiness from a 40 something perspective

September 27, 2005

Teaching Tolerance

Sending my son to an all boys Catholic High School was not in my plan. However when he started taking interest in the school I listened with an open heart. We looked into the school and found many aspects of it that would be of great benefit to him and to our family. Now that he is there, I find that I have not completely let go of my reservations and I continue to watch what they are teaching him and HOW they are teaching him. Each day they start their morning announcements with a prayer. The school publishes each of the daily prayers on it's web site. Here is one from a few days ago:

Tuesday, September 20

"Lord
God, help me to understand people who think differently, talk
differently, value differently, pray differently from me. There is
already too much violence in our world based on the fact that “they” aren’t the same as “us” or thinking that “they” aren’t as good as “us.”
Help me to appreciate that life is a mosaic of differences and that
differences are good. Keep me from thinking that everyone should be
just like me. I ask this in your Son’s name. Amen."

When I read this, I was relieved. It is exactly the kind of message that I have been sending to my kids their whole lives. My heart is warmed by this inclusiveness from this Catholic Organization. This school is doing right by my kid (so far), and I'm thankful for that!